Getting married is as popular as ever these days, but no so the traditional wedding. It seems like more and more couples are opting for celebrations which are as unique as they are and which have more in common with a great party than a typical wedding reception. Take a look at the trend for fresh and fun “un-wedding” weddings.

What truly sets an “un-wedding” reception apart from its more traditional counterpart is attitude. An un-wedding celebration is rarely formal, never stuffy, and a lot of fun. The emphasis is on throwing a party which promises a great time to friends and family, full of delicious foods, wonderful wine or cocktails, and relaxed conversation. This style of wedding celebration can take place at a traditional venue, but may also be somewhere other than the standard club or hotel.

Restaurants are a great venue for an un-wedding reception. A party in a restaurant is going to feel more like a great big dinner party than a standard wedding reception. And by choosing your favorite restaurant, you can be sure that the food will be utterly fantastic, a far cry from the usual chicken or beef entrees served at most receptions. The bride and groom can choose relaxed attire, rather than a heavy looking tuxedo and ornate ballgown. A modern silk organza gown with a black ribbon trim and handcrafted bridal jewelry would be tres chic.

Keep the decor informal and interesting. If it fits the room, a few long tables will feel more family friendly than many small ones. A great look for the table decorations would be a long runner over a simple tablecloth with a variety of decorative elements loosely arranged to tumble down the length of the table. A mixture of flickering votive candles, fresh seasonal fruit, and flowers in short vases will suit the restaurant venue perfectly. One word of caution: not all restaurant venues have room for a dance floor, so decide if that is important to you, and select your restaurant accordingly.

Unusual settings are also popular for un-weddings. Why not select an interesting site like an aquarium or a trendy art gallery for your reception? The space itself will be so visually engaging that you will need to do very little in the way of decorations. Plan your menu to suit the space. At an art gallery, stations featuring contemporary and unique cuisine would be ideal for dinner. Naturally seafood would be appropriate for a wedding in an aquarium.

When working with an off-beat venue, choose your colors to suit the locale. Watery blues and greens would look wonderful for an aquarium, for instance. At a site like a gallery which will have a lot to look at on the walls, a restrained color palette like white and charcoal would blend well. This color combination is one of the most popular for weddings this year for everything from bridesmaid dresses to invitations to handcrafted bridal jewelry. Charcoal dupioni tablecloths with a bit of shimmer and texture can be topped with tall clear cylinders filled with a modern flower like white allium.

An un-wedding reception can take place anywhere that strikes your fancy. It could be an airplane hangar, a city loft, or an antique carousel. When you do away with tradition, your wedding can be anything that your heart desires and your mind can envision.